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Determinants of Proactive Low-Carbon Consumption Behaviors: Insights from Urban Residents in Eastern China

Author

Listed:
  • Xiu Cheng

    (College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Jiameng Yang

    (College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Yumei Jiang

    (Zoucheng Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning, Jining 273500, China)

  • Wenbin Liu

    (School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Yang Zhang

    (Department of Commerce, Jining Technician College, Jining 272100, China)

Abstract

Proactive low-carbon consumption behaviors ( PLCBs ) are crucial to achieving carbon neutrality and identifying motivations for PLCBs is indispensable to changing individual consumption patterns. This study establishes a model by incorporating individual–group-level factors with psychological empowerment perception. The ordinary least-squares regression model was applied to identify the influencing factors of PLCBs with data collected from 1732 urban residents in eastern China. Results show that PLCBs are positively influenced by normative internalization, learning capacity, symbol concern, expertise level, and an environmentalism culture. In particular, the effect of learning capacity is the largest, with an influence coefficient of 0.271. A negative impact is observed between the consumerism culture and PLCBs . Moreover, psychological empowerment perception partly medicated the association between individual–group-level factors and PLCBs , and the maximum ratio of mediating effect to the full impact is 62.64%. The study sheds light on low-carbon-related behavioral management, and recommendations to promote PLCBs are further proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiu Cheng & Jiameng Yang & Yumei Jiang & Wenbin Liu & Yang Zhang, 2022. "Determinants of Proactive Low-Carbon Consumption Behaviors: Insights from Urban Residents in Eastern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6307-:d:821513
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    2. Qiang Wang & Wenhao Song & Xi Peng, 2022. "The Behavior-Driven Mechanism of Consumer Participation in “Carbon Neutrality”: Based on the Promotion of Replacing Coal with Biomass Briquette Fuel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.

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